With such powerful influence, and with such art also, had the money-lenders made their arrangements, so as to disappoint not only the people, but even the dictator himself.

For Valerius, after the return of the consul Vetusius, first of all matters brought before the senate that relating to the victorious people, and proposed the question, what it was their determination should be done with respect to those confined for debt.
And when this motion was rejected, "I am not acceptable," says he, "as an adviser of concord.

You will ere long wish, depend on it, that the commons of Rome had patrons similar to me.

For my part, I will neither further disappoint my fellow citizens, nor will I be dictator to no purpose.

Intestine dissensions, foreign wars, caused the republic to require such a magistrate.